TRAVEL&DISCOVER Onboard Magazine Winter 2019
ENG
in this edition
South & North Garda Lake
FOOD • WINE • PLACES OF INTEREST
In collaboration with Italy M.S.T.ravel 1
Half & full day trip suggestions
I
taly is full of natural beauty, art and culture, fine cuisine and excellent wines – unique in their kind and known worldwide.
If you’re planning a transfer with us between Milan and Venice, to and from Verona, we’d be happy to advise you on a few truly unique locations and tasting experiences you can have, for a creative and pleasant way to spend a few hours or a full day enjoying what Italy has to offer, making your trip here an unforgettable experience. If you’re interested in one of our Trip Suggestions don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to guide you and suggest you the perfect tour to fit your desires, to help you plan the itinerary, and to accompany you with the vehicles we offer.
Lake Garda North
Lake Garda South
2
Discover
Lake Garda South L
ake Garda is the largest lake of Italy. To the South of the lake there are the morenic hills, left behind by the thawing of glaciers; on the Northern, more narrow side, the lake is surrounded by tall peaks and mountains, that give the body of water its peculiar shape, reminiscent of a fjord, and which protect it from the elements, allowing for a meek and Mediterranean climate.
A
ll around the lake are picturesque hamlets and towns, coves, beaches and small ports, but also lively communities, parks and natural reserves.Â
Important points of interest are also the medieval castles and the Scaligeri strongholds, such as Torri del Benaco or the one in Sirmione, which tower over the landscape.
3
Sirmione Known as the “pearls of islands and peninsulas”, Sirmione is know one of the most relevant tourist destinations of Lake Garda, and is visited by people from all over the world. Famous for the wellknown healing properties of the thermal water that flows in the area, Sirmione is on the South side of Lake Garda, nestled on a long strip of land that splits the gulfs of Desenzano and Peschiera;
it offers a rich historical and artistic tradition to those who visit it, boasting for examples the remains of an ancient Roman Villa from the early imperial age, the Rocca Scaligera, and the church of Saint Peter in Mavino. The historic center of Sirmione features narrow streets lined by stone walls, making for the perfect scenario for romantic and suggestive vistas.
Punta San Vigilio Punta San Vigilio is considered the “Portofine of Lake Garda”. The beautiful peninsula, owned by the Guarienti Counts of Brenzone, is on the Veronese shores of the lake, and can boast among its visitors figures such as the King of Naples, Winston Churchill, Prince Charles of England, Laurence Olivier and many more.
It’s possible to visit the elegant Villa Guarienti, the “Locanda” hotel with its rich history, the small port, the park, or to spend your time relaxing in the wonderful Baia delle Sirene, a private beach with a centuries-old olive grove; all of this and more makes for one of the most stunning landscapes you can find along the shores of Lake Garda.
Parco Giardino Sigurtà This 60-hectare natural park is located in Valeggio sul Mincio, just 8 km from Peschiera del Garda. Crowned the most beautiful park of Italy in 2013, and second-place as the most beautiful park in Europe for 2015, Parco Giardino Sigurtà houses several natural and historical attractions and sights. During March and April, you can admire a million tulips blossoming, during the largest
occurrence of this natural event in all of Italy; you can stroll between the bushes, which fill with over 30.000 flowering roses from May to September; or you can wander the incredible twists and turns of the hedge maze. Between June and July you can enjoy the view of aquatic plants blossoming over 18 bodies of water – all of this, framed by neverending green lawns.
4
Taste
Lake Garda South THE WINES
T
he area between Southern shores of Lake Garda and the morenic hills is where Lugana DOC wine is produced; the excellent white wine is considered one of the local productions with the highest quality and worldwide renown.
CUISINES MUST-HAVE
O
n the shores of Lake Garda converge the different culinary traditions of three regions of Italy – Trentino, Veneto and Lombardy – for a cuisine that looks to refined tastes and genuine ingredients, sourced from local fishermen, farmers and stockbreeders from the Garda area.
5
T
he hinterlands to the East and South of Lake Garda offer a different type of soil, due to the morenic nature of the land and the fluvial and glacial origin of the territory, and the geographic features of the area determine the wine production of this region.
Bardolino This is a scarlet red wine with faint fruity tones, and notes of red and black cherries, strawberry, raspberry, black currant and spices; it’s made with Veronese corvina and rondinella grapes. The name “Bardolino Classico” is reserved for those wines who have gone through a process of grape harvesting and vinification in the most ancient area of production. Bardolino wine is praised for being easy to drink and easy to pair with a variety of dishes and foods.
Lugana This white wine is produced in the Garda lowlands, on a particular type of clay-rich soil, due to the glaciations that then gave birth to the lake itself. The Lugano variety was the first one to gain DOC status in Lombardy and among the first registered in Italy. Made from the native “Turbiana” vineyards, the Lugana has different sub-categories, the Superiore, the Riserva, the Vendemmia Tardiva (late harvest) and the Spumante. Perfect for cocktails or paired with first courses, freshwater lake fish, and fresh cheeses.
Custoza This refreshing white wine has a slightly aromatic taste, can be drunk without issue, and is easily paired with several types of dishes. The Custoza is made from Garganega, Trebbianello and Bianca Fernanda grapes, which give it its characteristic straw-yellow hue. The area of production crosses the morenic hills South of Lake Garda. It’s perfect with both saltwater as well as with freshwater fish, with fried dishes, with vegetables – such as the Broccoletto di Custoza – and is especially complimented by a place of Tortellini di Valeggio and pumpkin tortelli from Mantova. 6
H
ere are a few traditional dishes that you can’t miss out on.
Tortellini di Valeggio The recipe for this pasta dish is said to date back to the 1300’s. The egg-based dough is very thin, and the tortellini are filled with minced beef, pork and chicken meat, natural herbs and seasoning, and Bardolino wine. Cooked in a meat broth, they are served with it, or served with a butter and sage sauce. Be sure to sprinkle parmesan or grana cheese over the tortellini. Every year, over the bridge of Valeggio sul Mincio, there is a celebration called “Festa del Nodo d’Amore” (“Festival of the Love Knot”), during which 4000 dining companions enjoy this traditional dish together.
Marinated Trout Carpaccio Marinated Trout Carpaccio isn’t exactly a recipe in itself, but rather a technique to preserve lake trout in a truly delicious way. The dry marinade is one of the oldest methods to preserve fish, and consists of marinating the produce without liquids, such as vinegar, white wine or other acidic components, but rather by using salt and sugar. The duration of this process can vary depending on the cut of the filet and on the taste of those who are preparing the trout, and can last between a few hours and a couple of days.
Cassata Gardesana
7
The unique characteristics of the territory make Lake Garde into the perfect place to have a taste of a fascinating blend of different tastes and perfumes. To represent this culinary chemistry, we have a peculiar dessert: the Cassata Gardesana; perhaps less-known than the Sicilian Cassata, this dessert prepared Garda-style is no less tasty! Similar to a ricotta-based semifreddo dessert, it features among its ingredients honey, candied fruit and a drizzle of DOC extra virgin olive oil from the Garda region, a must-have for this turn on the classic Sicilian recipe. Incredibly easy to make, but nonetheless exceptionally delicious – it will be a treat for your palate!
8
Discover
Lake Garda North L
ake Garda is the largest lake of Italy. To the South of the lake there are the morenic hills, left behind by the thawing of glaciers; on the Northern, more narrow side, the lake is surrounded by tall peaks and mountains, that give the body of water its peculiar shape, reminiscent of a fjord, and which protect it from the elements, allowing for a meek and Mediterranean climate.
A
ll around the lake are picturesque hamlets and towns, coves, beaches and small ports, but also lively communities, parks and natural reserves.Â
As you follow the edges of the lake and its shores, there are plenty of reminders to the area’s history and culture, as one after the other you’ll encounter towns, castles, monasteries and old villages filled with monuments and museums.
9
The Vittoriale The “Vittoriale degli Italiani” is the monumental Citadel that Gabriele d’Annunzio had built and subsequently lived in during the 1930’s in Gardone Riviera. The citadel features an incredible and unparalleled complex of buildings, streets, squares, theaters, gardens, parks and waterworks. Construction began in 1921 under
the supervision of architect Gian Carlo Maroni, and it celebrates the “one-of-a-kind life” of the soldier-poet and the endeavors of Italians during the First World War. The Vittoriale is now a foundation, open to the public and visited by about 180.000 people every year.
Funicular Railway in Malcesine With this cable railway, you’ll experience a bluetinged dream as you go from Malcesine to the peaks of Mount Baldo. The light blue of Lake Garda merges with that of the beautiful sky, for an incredible panorama that you cannot miss: from the snow-dappled peaks of the Alps to the
stark profile of the much nearer mountains, all the way to the soft curves of the plains. And so, the funicular “flies”, in a handful of minutes, all the way to 1800 meters of height, and its rotating booths can always evoke new emotions.
Panoramic Stroll Surging along the shores of Lake Garda, complete with a breath-taking view of one of the most picturesque landscapes of Italy, Garda by Bike is the first segment of the bike trail of the Garda. Opened in 2018, it’s already considered to be one of the most beautiful trails of Europe. With
a width of 2.5 meters and nighttime illumination, you can also take a stroll along it; the sensation is that of walking over water, all the way to Capo Reamol, where you can have a complete view of the lake in its entirety.
10
Taste
Lake Garda North THE WINES
I
n the area of Garda towards Brescia the wine-making tradition is a part of the local history, culture and territory. The vineyards, extending from the lake and towards the gentle hills all around it, are a recognizable feature of the landscape here, for a stunning vista. There are different varieties of wines produces in the area, from North to South, but every one of them is different from the next in its uniqueness and quality.
CUISINES MUST-HAVE
O
n the shores of Lake Garda converge the different culinary traditions of three regions of Italy – Trentino, Veneto and Lombardy – for a cuisine that looks to refined tastes and genuine ingredients, sourced from local fishermen, farmers and stockbreeders from the Garda area.
11
T
he area of Garda Trentino is an especially favorable region for the production of wine, due to peculiar micro-climate conditions found here. There are several varieties of wine made here, using both local and international grapes.
Garda Classico Groppello DOC A red wine made from the native vineyard of Valtenesi, the variety is grown in soil which, thanks to the micro-climate found in the area, makes for an optimal aging process of the grapes harvested. The traditional wine-making process involves 6-7 days of ripening, 10 to 12 months of aging in steel vats, and 3 to 4 years of aging after bottling. The Groppello looks ruby red in color, with intense fruit notes if drank when still young, and spiced undertones when aged for longer periods of time. It has an intense body, with a slightly bitter and herbal aftertaste. It’s great when paired with red meat-based dishes, especially with stews and polenta, mushrooms, barbecued and roasted meats.
Marzemino Native of the lands of Trento, the Marzemino has become one of the most important wines of the territory, due to its quality and historic roots. Made from high-quality grapes, it has a dark red color with claret hues, and the scent is that of wild berries, wood violet, along with vaguely balsamic and spiced notes. Known for being a soft and sweet wine, it’s perfect along with red and white meat. Unparalleled when paired with polenta and mushrooms, or with roasts.
Fortified San Martino della Battaglia DOC This dessert wine is made from Tocai grapes, collected with a late harvest. Characterized by a mild acidity, and a fresh, dry and round taste, it has a slight almond aftertaste and an intense, complex scent profile. Very sought-after, this wine is remindful of honey, dried and candied fruit, and has an unexpected personality where balance and contrast complete and improve each other. Perfect as a discovery at the end of the meal, paired with dry desserts and confections, blue cheeses or drunk by itself to fully explore its profile. Perfect with local long-aged cheeses. 12
H
ere are a few traditional dishes that you can’t miss out on.
Salà Meat (Carne Salà) Typical dish from the Trentino area of Garda, the meat can be enjoyed raw as carpaccio, or grilled and eaten with a side of beans or marinated vegetables. The preparation is achieve by removing the fatty and stringy parts of the cut, usually a beef round, which is then cut is large sections and rubbed with salt and sugar; it is then put in a container with salt and herbs, doused with wine, and let to rest and marinate for about 30 days.
Lake Fish Soup (Zuppa di pesce di Lago) Among the traditional first courses of the area, a staple is soupe made with local lake fish: lean meats are used (trout, lavaret, burbot), and they are fileted, cut into cubes and marinated in white wine for a few hours before being fried and added to a vegetable-broth soup along with tomato sauce and sautéed vegetables. It’s served with bread croutons.
Pike Garda-style (Luccio alla Gardesana) Preparing pike fish with the traditional Garda recipe is simple, but required high-quality ingredients: freshly caught pike, capers, lemon and extra virgin olive oil from the Garda region. A freshwater predator, the pike has lean meat (with about 1-3% fats) and a good serving of minerals and vitamins. The fish has a bold taste, enhanced with this recipe that blends Mediterranean tastes and perfumes to perfection. 13
14
Prestigious service of luxury car rental with highly qualified driver A professional and elegant service for your transfers in Italy and abroad Autoservizi Bonomo has a 25-year experience in Chauffeur services and boasts high-quality Cars, Minivans and Buses with the best comforts and experienced Chauffeurs. We are at your disposal to organize your transportation and we offer transfer services from/to airports, hotels and many other destinations, but also Full-Day and Half-Day services. We guarantee a high quality service and assure a comfortable transportation. Moving with us means safe and on time service.
Book now
infoline: +39 045 8200398 info@autonoleggio-bonomo.it 15
for Tour operator & travel agencies
SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT The great experience gained in over 25 years of activity allows the Bonomo team to be able to manage the complex logistics of large events ensuring reliability and quality as if they were individual private transfers.
FLEET 1 Mercedes Classe S 350 (passo lungo) - 2 Mercedes Classe E 350 AMG 3 Mercedes Van V Class - 3 VW Van Caravelle We provide a fleet of Cars and Minivans of the best and prestigious brands with recent registration, to guarantee high-level of comfort and safety. We offer an on time and efficient service for every destination.
Via della Tecnica 11/B - 37030 Lavagno (VR)
Tel. +39 045 8200398 www.autonoleggio-bonomo.it